Ferocactus pilosus (Mexican Fire Barrel)

Native to north-central and northeastern Mexico, this slow-growing succulent cactus can grow as a single barrel or form a clump of tall, columnar stems. Deep green ribs carry closely spaced, felted areoles with stout red central spines and finer, white, hair-like radial spines. Cup-shaped orange flowers appear near the crown in spring. Oval fruits retain the dried flower remains at their tips and contain glossy black seeds. Photographed in Peru.